Miss USA 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel defends herself responding to the allegations that her win was ‘rigged’. Over the weekend, during a ceremony at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Gabriel won the pageant. After her victory, the news of her being favoured surfaced online. Even one of her fellow contestants Miss Montana Heather Lee O’Keefe alleged that “most of the Miss USA contestants feel very strongly that there was favouritism towards Miss Texas USA and we have the receipts to prove it.” Let’s see how Miss USA 2022 responded to the allegations!
Miss USA 2022 said her crown is not rigged
On October 6, Gabriel told E-News’ rundown that the allegations against her are false and she didn’t ‘rig’ the crown.
“I would never enter any pageant or any competition that I know I would win, I have a lot of integrity.”- R’Bonney said. After her win, many Miss USA 2022 contestants seen leaving the stage without greeting her. Many of them spoke up against her win. Miss Alabama Katelyn Vinson wrote, “It’s crushing and heartbreaking to have worked so hard towards a goal only to realise you never stood a chance.” On the other hand, Miss New York Heather Nunez wrote on Instagram Stories that she was humiliated and lost a fair chance.
Responding to her fellow contestants’ claim The new Miss USA said,” and “I would love to communicate with her (Heather Lee O’Keefe ) because I think there’s a lot of allegations that are coming up that aren’t true, and people are leading to conclusions that just simply aren’t true, I want to be transparent, and I want everybody to know that there was no unfair advantage and nothing was rigged.”
R’Bonney declined about receiving favourable treatment from one of the Miss USA 2022 sponsors. She also talked about the misinterpretation of Miss USA President Crystle Stewart doing her hair. According to her, it happened after her win.
In conclusion, she talked about her achievement,” I’m very, very happy and thankful for my win. As Miss USA, I’m just looking forward to advocating for what I love.”
R’Bonney Gabriel is the first Filipino-American woman to win the title. Moreover, she is also the first-ever Asian-American woman to be named Miss Texas USA.